Emirates FA Cup 1st Rd – Stones v U’s – Match Preview

20151107_Colchester_Utd_proggie_coverWe have met the U’s only twice previously, both times in FA Cup action. The first game was back on the 12 Nov 1949 in a 4th Qualifying Round game at Lower Mead when our visitors were in the Southern League and Stones were an Amateur side playing in the Athenian League.  A pulsating game, was settled by a  single goal from Mr W Saunders which saw the Stones victorious to set-up a First Round game away at  Port Vale where we bowed out of the competition losing by the same 1-0 score-line  in front of 14,935 spectators. Our second meeting was in 1985  when we travelled to Layer Road in the 1st Round, we never really got going that day (I blame the red kit!!) , and lost 4-0 to the U’s.

Colchester_utd_Pride_Passion_HistoryOn paper there is a considerable gulf between the teams, however Stones will go into the game on an un-beaten run stretching back to 31 Aug which has included a purple patch of 6 wins out of 6 last month, whilst our visitors have found life on the road a little more unpredictable.

Rest assured the management team and squad will have prepared thoroughly and will be  ready to  do battle over the 90+ minutes on the pitch to see who progresses into the next round of the world’s most famous Football Cup Competition.

Please make sure you read the guidance below which is aimed at ALL fans who attend on Saturday. There will be a good number of stewards on duty in and around the stadium at all times and all fans are asked to comply with any instructions given to ensure safety and security for all.

Don’t  forget to pick-up your match day programme (£3) and Golden Goals ticket (£1 entry, first goal £50, last goal £10) prior to kick-off.FACUPR1_CLUB_DIGITAL_PREMATCH_CAROUSEL_wealdstone

Get behind the lads from the off, let the opposition know the pride and passion we have for our club, make plenty of noise and be the 12th Stone for the 90+ minutes of game play.  With  the TV cameras present to capture events it should be a great day, this is the FA Cup, anything can happen.

‘Website Admin’


A reminder on a few points to make the day run smoothly for all…….

Ticket Update

There is now limited availability of tickets for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie due to local unprecedented demand. These tickets will be made available to HOME fans only from 09:00 from the Ruislip Social Club on a first come first served basis. There will therefore  be no cash sales at the turnstile as previously advised.

Parking

The weather has beaten us and there will be NO field parking on Saturday . It is suggested that you consider alternate parking arrangements, in the side streets near to the ground or use  one of the  pay & display car parks which are within 10-12 minutes walk of  the stadium (see map HERE for assistance).
Please be aware the Local Hillingdon Traffic Enforcement Department will be out and about and if you happen to park your vehicle inappropriately in the one of  the side streets you are likely to get a ticket. You have been warned!

Entry to the Ground (from 13:00)

Home fans will be directed by the match-day stewards to use the main turnstiles (1 to 4) at the front of the stadium. On entry please do not loiter, move further into the stadium in order to ease any congestion issues. Home supporters will have use of the Bulla Stand end, the Main ‘Wells Glass’ Stand, the Brian Collins Stand and the terracing behind the dugouts for the duration of the match.

Away Fans will be directed by the match-day stewards to use the turnstiles located behind the Club House by Exit Gate C. On entry please do not loiter, move further into the stadium in order to ease any congestion issues  (the top end  of the ground comprises a covered and uncovered standing area, those requiring seats these have been allocated next to the Club House).

Advance Ticket purchase(s) & collection

On arrival on match-day follow the signs to the ticket collection point, remember to bring confirmation of your purchase and some form of id if you have purchased a concession ticket(s), entry to the stadium is as above.

Ground Regulations

  • The club  reserves  the right to eject from the stadium any  person who is considered to have committed any of the following  acts:
    • Entering the stadium by any means other than through the turnstile or official entrance
    • Entering the field of play before, during or after the game without prior authorisation to do so
    • Being drunk, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
    • Carrying items that may be considered as a danger or nuisance to others, including pyrotechnics (e.g. flares/ smoke bombs). megaphones, cans, bottles or drinking glasses containing alcoholic beverages
    • Throwing any article onto the field of play
    • Climbing floodlight pylons, fences, stands or any structure or building
    • Using obscene or offensive language that may cause offence to others
    • Using violence of any nature
    • Taking any  musical Instruments (Drum, Bugle, Trumpet, Horn or Triangle) into the stadium

WFC supports the FA’s campaign on pyrotechnics (e.g. flares and smoke bombs). Any misuse of such items in and around the stadium will result those being asked to leave and, in line, with football authority guidance , may result in a report to the Police, potential prosecution and a ban from the Club of up to 3 years.

Refreshments

The RSC will be open from 11:00 where you will be able to enjoy drinks,  filled rolls, snacks etc. whilst watching the lunch-time football on the big  screen. All bars will close at 14:30 to allow fans time to finish their  drink and get into the ground in time for kick-off. A polite reminder, no  alcohol is allowed in the stadium, if you get caught you can expect to be  removed by one of the stewards.

The Ruislip Social Club will remain closed until after the game. The Main hall will be off limits to all from 19:00.

WFC Youth will be operating a BBQ (incl. soft drinks ) adjacent to the Beer garden from 11:30 to 14:40 plus the @Rollin’Kitchen situated  behind the Club House will also be in operation from  13:00 and throughout the afternoon turning out hot grub (burgers, chicken, hot dogs  triple fried chips, tea/coffee & cold drinks).

In the stadium the Tea Bar behind the dug-outs will be open serving hot & cold drinks and the usual selection of snacks. It is also anticipated that the old Tea Bar located behind the Bulla stand will also be open serving hot & & cold drinks and snacks (sorry no hot food) for Home fans.

Public Transport

The Met & Piccadilly Tube service should be operating as normal to Ruislip Manor or Ruislip as well as the Central Line to  Ruislip Gardens (a 1215 minute walk to the stadium or cross the road and catch the  E7 bus towards Ruislip alighting at the Grosvenor Vale stop) – Check TfL website for latest info HERE

Should Saturday’s game go to a replay the Supporters Club will be running a coach service to the match which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 17th November 2015 with a 7.45 pm kick-off. Coaches which will have a toilet en-board will depart from The Vale at a time to be advised and will depart from Colchester’s ground immediately after the match.

There will be an additional pick-up and drop off point for supporters located just off Junction 25 off the M25.

Costs
Adult Members: £ 15.00
Adult Non-Members: £ 17.00
Concession Members: £ 10.00
Concession Non-Members: £ 12.00

Concessions – OAP’s (65 and above) Children (16 and under) & Students.

Should any supporters be making their own way to Colchester there is the opportunity (subject to seats being available) to travel back to Ruislip after the game on the Supporters Club Coach for £10.00.

To reserve a seat, please either see Alan Palmer (Travel Secretary) immediately after Saturday’s game in the Supporters Club Megastore or contact him as follows:-

Email: alanraymondpalmer@btinternet.com / Mobile: 07961 872265 ; Twitter: @alanthecharmer

Match day admission charges for the replay will be Adults – £15, Concessions – £12, Under 21’s – £10, Under 18’s – £8, Under 14’s – £6 and Under 11’s – £3 (id will be required!).

Our Vanarama National League South fixture away at Maidstone Utd on the 17 Nov will be rearranged to a new date.